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Crossover SUV Comparison

7127 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM

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#6414 of 7127 Re: 2009 Pilot [ateixeira] by nxs138 Apr 15, 2008 (3:28 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 15, 2008 8:35 am) Yeah, I agree. I liked the new Highlander, even though it didn't have a lot of room behind the 3rd row: I figured that I could always pull down half of the 3rd row to make more room...but nooooo! No split 3rd row. That really turned us off, so here we are with a CX-9. Their loss, I guess.
#6415 of 7127 '09 Pilot- Not so bad? by albook Apr 15, 2008 (5:36 pm)
After reading the new Pilot walk around by Edmunds, I have to admit, the Pilot seems to have lived up to most of the expectations. I knew it would grow in size, especially after reading about the increase in behind- third row-cargo space to an impressive 20 cubes. But I was actually thinking it would grow more than just 2 inches in length- more like 3-4. I guess Honda didn't want to mess with successful ingredients- and the size always was right. I was also impressed that legroom was up an inch in the 2nd row, and 2 in the third, pretty good for adding 2 inches in length. However, overall cargo space is still an average 87 cubes. I guess something had to give somewhere. I was also hoping for captains chairs.   I will even admit the styling has grown on me a little- but that's probably just from looking at all those marketing photos.   I wouldn't say it's best in class, but it's a good imporvement on an already good package. And I'd take it over the Highlander. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 6:35 am) ateixeira (Apr 16, 2008 1:08 pm)
#6416 of 7127 Re: '09 Pilot- Not so bad? [albook] by aviboy97 Apr 16, 2008 (6:35 am)
Replying to: albook (Apr 15, 2008 5:36 pm) Yes, Honda did improve the Pilot, in terms of passenger space and cargo capacity. Edmunds did say the car was not exciting to drive, and the VCM did cause the vehicle to surging, which is a big problem for Accord owners. Also, they said you really have to slam the throttle to get power, something that is partly caused by having only a 5-speed tranny.   It does seem that Honda concentrated more on the utilitarian part of the CUV, rather then the drive. It does not seem like a bad idea. The GM's went for more interior room, more power. Mazda went for the overall drive and interior passenger space, and now Honda went for overall utility.
#6417 of 7127 Fuel Economy by aviboy97 Apr 16, 2008 (9:38 am)
This is something that Honda is known for, however, they pull up short here with the new Pilot. See how it stacks up against the competition.   Pilot. 16/22 250hp/253tq CX-9. 15/21 273hp/270tq GM. 16/22 275hp/251tq Hyundai 15/22 260hp/257tq   Considering how much power the Pilot has, IMO, that is what makes the fuel economy not that impressive compared to the competition. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Apr 16, 2008 11:35 am) aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 3:00 pm) albook (Apr 16, 2008 2:59 pm) aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 3:03 pm) stevedebi (Apr 21, 2008 11:14 am) marcovio (Apr 17, 2008 12:29 pm) aviboy97 (Apr 17, 2008 3:43 pm) mtnman1 (Apr 17, 2008 3:57 pm) josephd05 (Apr 18, 2008 7:37 am) and 2 more...
#6418 of 7127 Re: Fuel Economy [aviboy97] by thegraduate Apr 16, 2008 (11:35 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 9:38 am) For the Pilot, it seems average; a 6-speed would help. Also, VCM is for 4WD models only. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 3:00 pm)
#6419 of 7127 Re: '09 Pilot- Not so bad? [albook] by ateixeira Apr 16, 2008 (1:08 pm)
Replying to: albook (Apr 15, 2008 5:36 pm) That increased cargo space behind the 3rd row is an important upgrade.   I think Honda knew they had the Odyssey for the people that wanted space first and foremost, so they intentionally kept the Pilot's dimensions a tad smaller outside.
#6420 of 7127 Re: 2009 Pilot [dbt] by tifighter Apr 16, 2008 (1:51 pm)
Replying to: dbt (Apr 14, 2008 12:16 pm) This is a good post; I'd say most of your observations are pretty accurate. I recently bought a 08 Pilot. I kept wondering if I would regret not waiting to see what the 09 offered, but the deals on 08's were mighty good. Now that some details are out, the 09 seems like a pretty mixed bag.   Pros over the 08 (IMO)- shifter position, separate rear glass, illuminated steering wheel controls, aux in, improved crash structure, supposedly quieter   A wash - interior styling, same basic drivetrain but feels peppy enough in the 08   Cons - VCM adds complexity for little mpg benefit, increased width, styling, supposedly poorer interior plastics (from early reviews, but haven't seen in person)   All in all, its probably better, and there is a diesel in the pipeline. But if I were spending $30-35K today(which I didn't; thanks 08 Pilot!), I don't see what this offers over the Lambdas or possibly the Flex. And I think the VC matches up really well now. The CUV market sure has gotten competitive in the past 2-3 years. The 09 just seems like a lost opportunity. Replies to this message: nxs138 (Apr 16, 2008 6:27 pm) bobw3 (Apr 17, 2008 6:49 am) albook (Apr 17, 2008 3:33 pm) and 54 more... aviboy97 (Apr 17, 2008 9:18 am)
#6421 of 7127 Re: Fuel Economy [aviboy97] by albook Apr 16, 2008 (2:59 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 9:38 am) Power was another thing I was shocked to see with the Pilot. The power rating is embarrassing. And while all the Freestyle owners would say that anyone who thinks 250 hp isn't enough for a CUV is power crazed (sorry, couldn't resist ) consumers are going to notice the difference. I know it will be a major advertising point for Mazda and Hyundai. Really, 250 shouldn't be too bad. It's a little more than last year, and I believe the new model in most cases is a little lighter. But where is Honda's updated 3.5 V6 in the Accord? Were they trying to distance the Pilot from the MDX? Because 268 compared to 300 is enough for me. I can see Car and Driver disproving its pickup now. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 3:03 pm) stevedebi (Apr 21, 2008 11:14 am)
#6422 of 7127 Re: Fuel Economy [thegraduate] by aviboy97 Apr 16, 2008 (3:00 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 16, 2008 11:35 am) Considering that the Pilot has VCM, the competition does not, and it also has less horsepower and torque, how does the Pilot not have better fuel economy then the rest? That's my question. It just does not make sense. Maybe VCM is really not a useful system.
#6423 of 7127 Re: Fuel Economy [albook] by aviboy97 Apr 16, 2008 (3:03 pm)
Replying to: albook (Apr 16, 2008 2:59 pm) Were they trying to distance the Pilot from the MDX? Because 268 compared to 300 is enough for me   One would think so....   On a side note, Honda further distanced themselves from their Acura counterpart by quite a bit. They look nothing alike, and the MDX is more driver oriented (SH-AWD), and less useful (awful 3rd row and cargo cap.) The 09 Pilot is way bigger and more useful, however, it has a completely different drive train, 4WD system included.

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